Total solar eclipse 2024: Live updates
Here's why the sun's corona should look its spectacular spiky best during April's eclipse
A dramatic view of the sun at' solar maximum' will await eclipse-chasers on April 8, 2024, during North America's total solar eclipse.
Only those within a 125-mile (200 km) wide path of totality can glimpse the sun's corona — its hotter outer atmosphere — with their naked eyes during totality. Only during the exact moment of totality, when the moon completely obscures the sun can you look with the naked eye. At all other times, precautions need to be taken. It's a sight to behold, whatever the level of solar activity, but the latest predictions have the sun reaching the peak of its current cycle in 2024, the corona now looks set to be at its largest and spikiest just in time for totality. With cameras much improved since the last solar maximum in 2012, unique images will be possible.
Read more: Solar maximum: Why April's total Solar Eclipse will bring unique views of the sun's corona
Looking for some new kit to view the solar eclipse?
If you're looking to purchase some new kit to view the upcoming solar eclipse, this Cyber Monday telescope deal is well worth it!
The Cyber Monday deal from B&H Photo Video slashes the price of the Celestron NexStar 6SE Schmidt-Cassegrain Telescope and EclipSmart Solar Filter Kit by more than $1,000. Originally $2,047.95 it is now $948.95.
A great all-rounder telescope and with the EclipSmart White-Light Solar Filter that is ISO 12312-2 compliant for safe solar viewing, it's the perfect eclipse-viewing companion.
Why not experience nature's most remarkable spectacle in a beautiful setting?
The path of totality — a narrow path around 115 miles (185 kilometers) wide where the moon completely obscures the sun — runs through Mexico to Canada via 15 U.S. states, and will pass through many state parks, national parks and other scenic spots that offer a perfect backdrop for this rare and stunning event.
We've rounded up 10 of the best locations to enjoy the total solar eclipse on April 8, 2024.
Read more: 10 scenic spots to watch the April 2024 total solar eclipse
The 'Totality' app is the perfect tool to accompany you on your eclipse viewing experience
The free "Totality" app is available for iOS and Android users in English, Spanish, French, and Portuguese.
The app's interactive map feature shows you where in the world upcoming solar eclipses will be visible and uses your phone's GPS to tell you what those eclipses would look like from your current location.
The "learn" section provides ample solar eclipse resources such as information on how, when and why solar eclipses occur as well as classroom activities meant to inspire the next generation of budding eclipse chasers.
Planning on viewing the eclipse from Mexico?
Some of the best places to witness the upcoming total solar eclipse on April 8, 2024, are in Mexico.
The shadow of the moon will first strike Earth about 370 miles (600 kilometers) off the west coast of Mexico at Isla Socorro before visiting three of the Islas Marías just 60 miles (100 km) from the mainland. It will then sweep across Mexico from Mazatlán, Durango, Torreón and Monclova as the path tracks northeast toward the U.S. border at Piedras Negras.
Read more: The best places in Mexico to see the total solar eclipse on April 8, 2024
Where will you be celebrating the total solar eclipse?
If you want some inspiration on where to head for the ultimate total solar eclipse viewing experience we've rounded up some of the best parties, festivals and eclipse events across the U.S., Canada and Mexico.
The all-important path of totality will pass through northwest Mexico, 15 U.S. states (Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Missouri, Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee, Michigan, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine) and five Canadian provinces (Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland).
Read more: April 2024 total solar eclipse viewing events: Parties, festivals and more
Where is the best place to see the April 2024 total solar eclipse?
Total solar eclipses are rare opportunities that are not to be missed. After next year's total solar eclipse on April 8, 2024, the next total solar eclipse that will be visible from North America will be in 2044.
Being in the right place at the right time is crucial for seeing one of these celestial spectacles. Want to know where you should be to catch the "Great American Eclipse?" Read our guide below for a list of the best places to see the April 2024 total solar eclipse.
Read more: Where is the best place to see the April 2024 total solar eclipse?
Will El Niño affect the chances of clear skies?
Where will the best weather be for the total solar eclipse on April 8, 2024? That's the burning question for eclipse chasers who are now making preparations and travel plans, but an incoming El Niño threatens to make things a little more complicated.
The incoming disruptive global climate pattern underscores the path of totality through Mexico and Texas as the best places to be for the lowest chance of cloud cover.
Read more: How El Niño may affect the chances of clear skies for the 2024 total solar eclipse
Where will the total eclipse be visible from?
Location is key to a successful total solar eclipse viewing experience.
All of North America will see a partial solar eclipse, but only those within the path of totality will get to encounter a total solar eclipse.
The all-important path of totality heads from northwest Mexico through the U.S. to southeastern Canada. That path will be 115 miles (183 kilometers) wide, on average, and only within it will it be possible to experience darkness in the day and glimpse the sun's corona for up to 4 minutes 28 seconds.
Read more: Where will the April 2024 total solar eclipse be visible from?
Here's how scientists will study the sun during the total eclipse
The total solar eclipse that will sweep across the Americas on April 8 will provide scientists with a rather unique view of the sun and the perfect opportunity to study it in more detail.
"Scientists have long used solar eclipses to make scientific discoveries," Kelly Korreck, program scientist at NASA Headquarters, said in the statement. "They have helped us make the first detection of helium, have given us evidence for the theory of general relativity, and allowed us to better understand the sun's influence on Earth's upper atmosphere."
Learn more about the five science experiments selected by NASA to study the Great North American Eclipse of 2024.
Remember '99% totality' does not exist!
There's a reason why the path of totality is called what it is. Mistakes will be made by many would-be eclipse-chasers on April 8, 2024.
Inside the 115-mile wide path of totality — which will stretch across North America that day — some will forget to take off their eclipse glasses (during "totality"), missing a once-on-a-lifetime view of the solar corona.
Others will lose track of time and be queuing for the bathroom as the moon totally eclipses the sun. However, the biggest celestial crime it's possible to make when a total solar eclipse comes to town is to settle for 99%.
Countdown to April's total solar eclipse has begun!
With the impressive annular solar eclipse behind us, we now take a look at the total solar eclipse that will occur on April 8, 2024.
The spectacle will be visible to millions of skywatchers across the Americas.
It's not too early to start planning your trip and lucky for you our contributing writer and eclipse expert Jamie Carter has written a handy guide to help.
From scouting locations to staying safe, here's how to prepare for the total solar eclipse.
Read more: Total solar eclipse April 2024: 8 top tips for planning your trip
Watching the eclipse from the home of ancient solar astronomy
Eclipse-chasers and archaeo-astronomers flocked to Chaco Canyon in New Mexico to see annularity from the home of the famous 'Rock of the Sun' petroglyph.
Space.com's contributing writer Jamie Carter describes what it was like to view the annular solar eclipse from the home of ancient solar astronomy.
Read more: What the 'ring of fire' eclipse looked like from the home of ancient solar astronomy
Wow! Satellites watched the annular solar eclipse from space
The eclipse, during which the moon blocked out the center of the sun, causing it to appear as a glowing ring of fire in the sky over Earth, was seen by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) satellites GOES-East and GOES-West.
Read more and see the incredible timelapse video here: Satellites watch the annular solar eclipse 2023 sweep over the U.S. (video)
Hot off the press! Read all about what it was like chasing the solar eclipse on the Extraterrestrial Highway
Space.com's editor Brett Tingley recounts his incredible eclipse-viewing adventure that took him through the state of Nevada along state route 375, the "Extraterrestrial Highway."
"It was still cold when those skies began to lighten on the morning of the eclipse in Ely, Nevada, while wispy clouds blew above the recreational vehicles and camp chairs that began to line the route from Ely to Great Basin National Park. As the sun rose over the pine-covered mountains of the Schell Creek Range in the distance, more and more visitors arrived and set up tripods and cameras. Some of the gathered eclipse-chasers wore homemade T-shirts commemorating the event, and many had driven for days just to get a glimpse of the 'ring of fire.'"
Read more: Fire in the sky: Chasing the annular solar eclipse 2023 on the Extraterrestrial Highway
And that's a wrap!
Wowee! Today's annular eclipse did not disappoint.
You can view a roundup of some of the best photos from around the world here in our "Annular solar eclipse of 2023 wows skywatchers with spectacular 'ring of fire' (photos, video)" article.
Stay tuned for more annular eclipse content over the coming days including a special report from our Editor Brett Tingley about his incredible eclipse adventure.
We hope you have enjoyed this annular solar eclipse as much as we have!
Clear skies.
The "ring of fire" has reached Brazil!
The annular solar eclipse is currently traveling over Brazil where it will end at sunset.
Here the "ring of fire" is visible over Canaã dos Carajás, Brazil. You can continue to follow the eclipse as it moves through Brazil online here courtesy of timeanddate.com.
Eclipse enters the Southern Hemisphere!
The annular solar eclipse has now crossed the equator and is traveling across the Southern Hemisphere.
It's traveling approximately 1,459 mph (2,351 km/h) (and getting faster!) and is visible over Brazil.
The image above shows the partial eclipse stage as we approach annularity in Canaã dos Carajás, Brazil.
Annularity has reached Neiva, Colombia
The "ring of fire" is now in Neiva, Colombia!
This impressive image is courtesy of timeanddate's free livestream. The Neiva footage is by Planetario de Medellin.
You can continue to follow the eclipse as it moves through Colombia and Brazil online here courtesy of timeanddate.com.
We are approaching the "ring of fire" in Neiva, Colombia
The moon is turning the sun into a thin crescent in Neiva, Colombia!
You can continue to follow the eclipse as it moves through Colombia and Brazil online here courtesy of timeanddate.com.
Things are wrapping up at Great Basin National Park (but the eclipse is far from over)
"The temperature has risen back to normal as the end of the annular solar eclipse approaches. Most of the crowds have left already." -- Brett Tingley
This image was captured by our Editor Brett Tingley using the Unistellar eQuinox 2 with Smart Solar Filter from the Great Basin National Park.
You can continue to follow the eclipse as it moves through Colombia and Brazil online here courtesy of timeanddate.com.
See the 1st 'ring of fire' photos and video
The first images of the moon passing between the sun and the Earth in a so-called "ring of fire" solar eclipse are coming in and the views are amazing.
See the first photos and video here
You can follow the "ring of fire" across the U.S. and watch the livestream of the annular eclipse courtesy of NASA here.
Kerrville, Texas welcomes the "ring of fire"
The "ring of fire" has now made it to Kerrville, Texas!
You can follow the "ring of fire" across the U.S. and watch the livestream of the annular eclipse courtesy of NASA here.
The "ring of fire" has made it to Albuquerque, New Mexico
The "ring of fire" has passed over Albuquerque, New Mexico.
You can follow the "ring of fire" across the U.S. and watch the livestream of the annular eclipse courtesy of NASA here.
End of annularity for Great Basin National Park
The "ring of fire" stage has ended for those in the Great Basin National Park, it will now turn into a partial solar eclipse. You can learn about the main stages of the annular solar eclipse here. You can watch the livestream of the annular eclipse courtesy of NASA here and follow the "ring of fire" as it moves across the U.S. It hasn't finished yet!
This image was captured by our Editor Brett Tingley using the Unistellar eQuinox 2 with Smart Solar Filter from the Great Basin National Park.
Behold! The "ring of fire" has arrived!
"A cheer just went up here at Great Basin National Park as we've reached annularity. The temperature has dropped significantly, and the light has taken on a twilight quality." -- Brett Tingley
This image was captured by our Editor Brett Tingley using the Unistellar eQuinox 2 with Smart Solar Filter from the Great Basin National Park.
You can watch the livestream of the annular eclipse courtesy of NASA here.
Moon turns sun into crescent
"The light is beginning to change as more and more of the sun is blocked by the moon. The temperature has dropped slightly." -- Brett Tingley
This image was captured by our Editor Brett Tingley using the Unistellar eQuinox 2 with Smart Solar Filter from the Great Basin National Park.
You can watch the livestream of the annular eclipse courtesy of NASA here.
Hungry moon takes a big "bite"
The moon is taking a huge "bite" out of the sun as the annular solar eclipse edges closer to the "ring of fire" phase.
This image was captured by our Editor Brett Tingley using the Unistellar eQuinox 2 with Smart Solar Filter from the Great Basin National Park.
You can watch the livestream of the annular eclipse courtesy of NASA here.
More than half of the sun is eclipsed!
More than half of the sun is now eclipsed by the moon! The famous "ring of fire" will be the next significant phase.
This image was captured by our Editor Brett Tingley using the Unistellar eQuinox 2 with Smart Solar Filter from the Great Basin National Park.
You can watch the livestream of the annular eclipse courtesy of NASA here.
First of three eclipse-studying rockets has been launched
The first of three sounding rockets to study the eclipse has been launched!
Launching from White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico, the rockets will specifically target the ionosphere. During the eclipse, temperature and density will drop in the ionosphere, creating a wave-like effect that can affect satellite communications, including GPS.
Read more: NASA will launch rockets into the annular solar eclipse's shadow on Oct. 14
Partial eclipse stage is well underway
The partial eclipse stage of the eclipse is well underway as the moon appears to take a large "bite" out of the sun.
This image was captured by our Editor Brett Tingley using the Unistellar eQuinox 2 with Smart Solar Filter from the Great Basin National Park.
You can watch the livestream of the annular eclipse courtesy of NASA here.
Livestream is underway with stunning views
You can watch the livestream of the annular eclipse courtesy of NASA here. Impressive views of the eclipse are already coming in alongside an interesting conversation about scientific research balloons!
Relief! (for now)
"As the clouds begin to part, the crowds here at Great Basin National Park let out audible sighs of relief as the sun and the moon emerged back into view some 30 minutes after the eclipse began." -- Brett Tingley
Clouds could be problematic for some
"Clouds are moving in here at Great Basin National Park, obscuring the view of the beginning stages of the annular solar eclipse. There's still an hour to go before annularity, though, and crowds here are hopeful that they will clear out in time. Eclipse chasers have gathered here from all over the United States, some with homemade t-shirts commemorating the event and the long road trips it took to get to remote Baker, Nevada." -- Brett Tingley, Editor, Space.com.
Our eclipse livestream has begun!
Our annular solar eclipse livestream courtesy of NASA has begun! Watch the eclipse live here.
Here it comes!
"Some clouds are passing by but we're seeing the first edge of the moon pass over the sun" -- Brett Tingley
Look at the top portion of the image and you can just start to see the moon!
Brett is using the Unistellar eQuinox 2 with Smart Solar Filter to capture the impressive views of the eclipse from The Great Basin National Park.
Space.com's Editor Brett Tingley is ready and waiting!
"The sun is just rising over the mountains on a crisp, cold morning at the foot of Great Basin National Park as we're just an hour away from the beginning stages of today's annular solar eclipse." -- Brett Tingley
Space.com's editor Brett Tingley is waiting for the eclipse to begin and has already captured an awesome image of the sun, just look at the size of those sunspots!
'Ring of Fire' Eclipse day is here!
Good morning, Space Fans, and today's the day: It's annular solar eclipse day for parts of the U.S., Central America and South America.
A "ring of fire" solar eclipse will occur today and you'll be able to watch it online, if you were unable to get to a location within the path of annularity, in which the moon will cover most, but not all, of the sun, leaving a brilliant ring around its edges known as a "ring of fire."
The eclipse will begin its partial phase at 11:03 a.m. EDT (1603 GMT) and begin its ring of fire phase for the first time at 12:13 p.m. EDT (1713 GMT) as it passes over parts of Oregon. It will then cross seven other U.S. states, moving from Oregon to Texas before crossing the Gulf of Mexico to reach Mexico, Guatemala, Belize, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panama, Colombia and Brazil, making the famous "ring of fire" visible to millions of people.
You can watch it here live, starting at 11:30 a.m. EDT (1630 GMT).
You can see the entire path of annularity including start and end times for different stages of the eclipse at each location in this interactive map created by French eclipse expert Xavier Jubier. NASA has also created a helpful interactive map for tracking the eclipse across the U.S. down to the last second and seeing what it will look like from select destinations along the route.
You can also use the SkySafari app to track the eclipse from your location. If you are not in the path of annularity, you will be able to see a partial solar eclipse. But of course, it all depends on your local weather. Our skywatching columnist Joe Rao has a full weather solar eclipse forecast for the United States here.
Space.com Editor Brett Tingley is in Nevada to observe the eclipse and will attempt to send updates here as it happens if his connection allows.
We'll also be posting updates of the eclipse's progress here throughout the day. -- Tariq Malik
Annular eclipse weather forecast
Space.com's skywatching columnist and veteran meteorologist Joe Rao takes a look at the weather forecast for the annular solar eclipse.
Skywatchers across the U.S. who are looking forward to viewing Saturday's solar eclipse may run into a problem thanks to several unsettled weather systems that will predominate over the east-central part of the country, as well as along the Pacific coast.
Read more: 'Ring of fire' solar eclipse on Oct. 14: Will the weather cooperate?
Here's how the eclipse will play out
On Saturday (Oct. 14), an annular solar eclipse will sweep across the Americas. Here we explain the five main stages of the eclipse and what you can expect to see.
An annular eclipse occurs when the moon is far from the Earth, and therefore, the sun will not be completely obscured, leaving a fiery golden ring shining around the dark lunar disk. This will happen gradually, with the annular eclipse bookmarked by partial solar eclipse phases.
Looking for an app to help track the eclipse?
Popular astronomy app SkySafari has added a special set of features for tracking and viewing this week's annular solar eclipse. The new eclipse features are available for SkySafari 7 Pro users (subscriptions start at $17.99), although anyone interested in trying it out can download a free trial.
NASA has released its own Eclipse Explorer 2023, an interactive map that lays out when and where the eclipse will be visible, including the path of annularity (the areas that will see the "ring of fire").
And nonprofit organization Astronomers Without Borders is offering the "One Eclipse" app, designed to give users worldwide a front-row seat to the annular solar eclipse right in the palms of their hands.
Did you know that there will be two eclipses this month?
Earth will experience two eclipses this month, an annular solar eclipse on Oct. 14 and a partial lunar eclipse on Oct. 28.
While the annular solar eclipse will be visible to observers across the Americas, the lunar eclipse will be visible across much of the Eastern Hemisphere, including Europe, Africa and Asia.
Read more: Earth will experience 2 eclipses this month. Here's what you need to know
3 days to go until the eclipse! But how fast will it travel?
Did you know that on Oct. 14 when the annular solar eclipse sweeps across the Americas the speed of the moon's shadow varies from more than 550,000 mph (more than twice as fast as a bolt of lighting) to as slow as 1,250 mph (about the same as a jet fighter).
In the U.S., when the moon's shadow strikes the Oregon coast at 9:13 a.m. PDT its speed will have already slowed down significantly to 5,683 mph. As it leaves the coast of Texas just 50 minutes later at 12:03 p.m. CDT it will have slowed down to 1,772 mph.
Why? It all depends on where on Earth the eclipse is happening, the distance to the moon and the moon's orbital speed.
We take a more in-depth look at how fast the annular solar eclipse will travel including where it will move the fastest and the slowest.
Explore the annular eclipse with this awesome interactive map
If you can't get enough of eclipse content as we countdown to the annular solar eclipse on Oct. 14 then this interactive eclipse map is for you!
NASA's Eclipse Explorer's interactive map details when and where the eclipse can be seen, including the path and duration of annularity (the areas from which the 'ring of fire' can be seen), allowing you to track the eclipse down to the second!
You can even toggle between cities and use the slider bar at the bottom to move through different stages of the eclipse. So what are you waiting for? Explore the annular solar eclipse today!
Less than one week to go until the sun is turned into a spectacular 'ring of fire'
The countdown to the annular solar eclipse 2023 is well underway!
As we get ready for the impressive "ring of fire" spectacle we summarize where the eclipse is visible and why scientists are so excited!
REMEMBER to NEVER look at the sun directly. To safely view this solar eclipse you must use solar filters at all times. Whether your location will experience a partial solar eclipse or an annular solar eclipse, the dangers are the same. Observers will need to wear solar eclipse glasses, and cameras, telescopes and binoculars must have solar filters placed in front of their lenses at all times.
Our how to observe the sun safely guide tells you everything you need to know about safe solar observations.
Future solar eclipses will all be rings of fire
In the far future, total solar eclipses will be a thing of the past and there's physics behind it.
As we prepare for the upcoming Oct. 14 annular solar eclipse, our skywatching columnist Joe Rao takes a look into the future, when the moon's distance in relation to the Earth will be such that it will no longer totally cover the sun's disk as seen from the Earth's surface.
Here's why all solar eclipses will be rings in the future, and let us know how ready or excited you are for the Oct. 14 solar eclipse!
Ring of fire solar eclipse of 2023 is one week away!
If you're looking to safely observe a solar eclipse, the Celestron EclipSmart 2x Power Viewers Solar Eclipse and Solar Eclipse Glasses Observing Kit are great for beginners. Read our full review.
The stage is set for one of the greatest sun events of 2023, if not the greatest skywatching event of the year!
We are officially one week away from the annular solar eclipse of Oct. 14 and is one that could potentially be visible to millions of people across the United States. While not a total solar eclipse, the annular eclipse will offer a "ring of fire" effect for observers in the path of maximum coverage, as the moon will not completely cover the sun during the event. Instead, it will leave a small ring of the sun visible, also called an annulus, hence its name.
Ultimate guide to October's 'ring of fire' solar eclipse
The path of annularity will cross parts of Oregon, Nevada, Utah, Arizona, New Mexico and Texas before moving on to Central and South America. If you are not in the path of annularity, you'll be able to see partial solar eclipse, BUT BE SURE TO USE PROTECTIVE SOLAR ECLIPSE GLASSES to protect your eyes and vision.
Here's a look at some of Space.com's resources for the solar eclipse to help you prepare for the event. We'll have daily stories leading up to the event.
How fast will the Oct. 14 annular solar eclipse travel?
How long with the Oct. 14 solar eclipse last?
10 events, viewing parties and festivals for October's 'ring of fire' solar eclipse
10 beauty spots to see October's 'ring of fire annular solar eclipse
Total vs. annular: Why solar eclipses produce totality or a 'ring of fire'
7 places to see rare 'edge effects' during October's 'ring of fire' solar eclipse
